Canicross harness and equipment

Quality gear that is functional and fits your dog perfectly is fundamental for canicross. A good canicross setup will enhance your experience and help prevent injuries.

All you need to get started with canicross is a pulling-harness, an elastic line and acanicross belt.

Canicross harness

Your dog can’t choose its own harness; therefore, it is important that you find the best canicross harness for him or her. When finding a canicross harness for your dog, there are some specific points you should look for.

A harness for canicross should have an ergonomic fit with a Y-shaped neck opening, allowing your dog to breathe and move freely. For dogs that are pulling hard, the attachment point for the canicross bungee line should sit at the base of the tail rather than at the middle of its back. This helps avoid stress on your dog’s spine.

When doing canicross, you and your dog are connected with a line attached to your hip belt. This means that the pulling center is above your dog. When the pulling center is above the dog,you need a harness that is shaped and developed for a high pulling point, such as the Freemotion harness 5.0.

The Freemotion harness 5.0 is specifically designed for activities like canicross, bikejoring and skijoring. This pulling-harness utilizes your dog's anatomy to increase performance and ensure comfort. The Freemotion harness 5.0 has been used by various athletes to win multiple championships. You can get the exact same setup as the professionals, which will give your dog the best start possible in the sport.

If you have a dog that pulls moderately or tends to back out of the harness, the Rock harness long is another great option. This harness is also suitable for obstacle racing with dogs, as it is equipped with a handle and made with a material that also dries quickly. This harness is unique in the multi-use dog harness category, as it also aids with pulling.

Why is a good harness essential for canicross? If the harness feels uncomfortable, it can teach your dog not to pull or to pull in the wrong way. A bad harness could also cause back or shoulder injuries.

Canicross belt

A canicross belt allows you to run with your arms free, while distributing your dog’s force over your hips and bum. You avoid back pain with a belt that is sitting low. Running belts are equipped with leg straps to keep the belt in place while moving.

The CaniX belt has turned running with dogs into a whole new experience for both world champions and everyday active runners. This ergonomic canicross belt is designed to promote good running technique even when running with a dog. The belt is very strong yet so lightweight that you can hardly feel it. The breathable mesh makes the CaniX belt comfortable to wear in all weather conditions.

Your dog’s line is attached to a secure screw-lock carabiner. The carabiner moves on a loop on the front of the belt allowing the leash to follow your dog’s movement. This design allows pressure to be distributed equally on your hips when cornering or if your dog is pulling off-center. This makes it easier to maintain balance and contact with your dog.

We also have a version developed specifically for racing, the CaniX belt pro.

The construction is the same as for the CaniX belt, but this belt is even lighter (125 grams). The CaniX belt pro is stripped for all unnecessary features, such as padding and pocket.

The versatile Trekking belt can also be used for canicross if you prefer a padded belt when running with your dog.

Canicross line

The line that connects you and your dog when running together should be elastic. A canicross bungee line will absorb shock, and it is gentle on the backs of both teammates. The bungee line will make the whole experience of running together more pleasurable for the both of you.

The Bungee leash is a strong line designed specifically for pulling sports, such as canicross. The entire length is elastic. The two-meter long version of the Bungee leash is perfect for running with dogs. This length provides you with a safe distance to your four-legged running partner, while still allowing you to see potential obstacles in front of your feet. You can also get a 2.8 meter line for sports such as bikejoring or skijoring. The very lightweight aluminum carabiner comes from the climbing sport industry and allows for an easy and secure way to hook to your dog’s collar or harness. The carabiner will not jam, even when it’s very muddy or freezing cold.

For small canicross dogs, our super lightweight Touring bungee is recommended.

If you are running with two dogs at the same time, you can use a Y-leash or attach a leash splitter to the line you already have.

Canicross starter kit

No matter if you plan to run for fun or participate in competitions, a good canicross starter kit is important to give you and your dog a positive experience from the beginning. The two of you can start with the same canicross setup that some of the world’s best athletes are using!

Our CaniX kit consist of a Freemotion harness, CaniX belt and Bungee leash, as well as an extra gift. If you are running with a small dog, you can choose a specific Small dog CaniX kit. The difference between the two is that this kit is equipped with the lighter Touring bungee.

Canicross clothes

When running with a dog, sportswear that it light, durable and functional is preferred. What you wear should not restrict you. Since you are wearing a belt when running canicross, you need to pay attention to seams and zippers in order to prevent chafing.

We have developed a clothing line specifically designed for canicross, the CaniX sportswear series with unique features that qre compatible with the gear you need when running with a dog. The CaniX long tights and CaniX twin shorts are all equipped with a wide elastic band that eases pressure on your waist and offers comfort even when wearing a belt. There is a leash pocket at the back, without zippers to prevent chafing.

Functonality and breathability is key for all garments in the CaniX series, including the canicross t-shirt CaniX tech tee. This t-shirt is so light and comfortable you can hardly feel it, perfect for high-intensity activities and warmer days.

Why choose Non-stop dogwear?

We have been developing gear for active dogs and their humans since 2009. As dogsport athletes, making ergonomic, innovative and functional equipment is essential.

We team up with athletes and professionals to test each product to the limit under the most extreme conditions for your safety and comfort. We believe that all dogs deserve the best, no matter if they are a family dog or a world champion in their sport. Our passion is to facilitate and encourage an active lifestyle for dogs and their owners.

Our product developers carefully select durable, functional and environmentally friendly materials. We are the world’s first pet brand to become bluesign® SYSTEM PARTNER to ensure that our dog gear meets the highest standards possible.

We focus on making long lasting products. To reach this goal, many factors play an important role in a product's life cycle. We are proud to know that some of our athletes have been using the same harness for nearly a decade! That is possible due to our high quality and functionality standards but also because we provide replaceable parts like side straps and clips. If you choose to upgrade to a newer version of the product, give your old harness a new life with a different owner so that it gets many more years of use. We also gather up used gear and provide it to, for example, dog shelters and young athletes.

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